Pedal slider assembly

ABSTRACT

A pedal slider assembly that allows for a normal pedal affixed to a normal bicycle to slide laterally outwardly away from the bicycle frame and back inwardly towards the bicycle frame allowing the rider to find their bodies natural pedal placement as it travels through the rotational pedaling path based on their specific skeletal structure restrictions, (those being the width of an individual&#39;s hips, knees, and ankles) as those positions dictate the center line of the user and as those positions are directly affected by the pedal relationship to the center line of the bicycle frame, additionally there is a multitude of lateral movement length options for the rider to utilize to garner specific exercise benefits.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/784,663 filed Dec. 24, 2018, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION

Ever since the days of Leonardo Da Vinci when he first drew what istoday identified as a bicycle it has evolved and evolved. While Leo'sdrawing had no pedals and thus no brakes it certainly was the seed ofcycling today.

The majority of the evolutionary steps have been centered aroundimproving fitment and adjustability to the user. Everything fromdifferent frame sizing, different crank arm sizing, different seat postlengths, different wheel diameters, different tire thicknesses andpurposes, different applications of bikes from road bikes to mountainbikes which individually spurred advancements in aerodynamics andsuspension components.

Pedals themselves have evolved as well allowing for better and morefunctional ways of securing the riders footwear to the pedal itself inan effort to generate more energy and utilize that energy in the mostefficient and effective way possible. With all these improvements overdecades making the relationship between the rider and bike moreergonomic, more symbiotic, and more natural in their relationship. Whathas not been addressed is the ankle, knee, and hip joints of the riderin relation to the fixed and rigid distance from the center line of thebicycle to the pedal.

It has been assumed that the rotational path, or “circle” created whenpedaling as it relates to the distance between the center line of thebike and the center of the pedal, that that distance/width is thecorrect distance/width for the rider's skeletal structure from thecenter of the rider's hip/cradle to the hip socket.

The assumption is two-fold, the first being that the aforementionedcalculation is correct and the second assumption being that every singlerider has the exact same skeletal structure. Both assumptions areincorrect forcing the rider into the rigid pedal structure the “circle”holds them in with the current pedal to frame configurations, the hipknee and ankle joints of the body forced to make the internaladjustments to compensate for the width differences between the pedal tocenter of frame distance and the hip socket to center of hip cradledistance. A pedal free to “float” will allow the natural path to occuras human joints are not machined and do not hold a consistent paththrough a circular motion, the pedal if free to float laterally while inrotation will move in and out different distances at different points inthe rotation of the pedaling motion, just as viewing someone walkingfrom behind them, the feet move laterally outward and inward differentamounts at different points throughout the walking motion as dictated bythe individual's skeletal structure.

Therefore, a need has long existed for a pedal or pedal system that canaccommodate the different skeletal structures of bicycle riders free ofany pre-established rigid distance/width between the pedal and thecenter of the bike throughout the rotational pedaling path.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention currently defined is a bicycle pedal slider assembly thatallows for each individual rider to create a pedaling rotational path(circle) that best accommodates the rider's own skeletal structurerequirements by allowing the pedals to move outwardly and then backinwardly in a lateral manner from the center of the bicycle frame itselfduring the rotational pedaling function in a free and unrestrictedmanner. The pedal resides on a structure that attaches to the bicyclecrank arm in the standard mounting location of a pedal allowing thepedal a floating range of outward and inward lateral movement throughany part of the rotational pedal path as the joint configuration of therider dictates is correct for smooth non joint binding rotationalmovement. The floating ability allows for symmetry between the width ofthe pedals from one to the other in relation to the center of thebicycle frame and the width of the hip sockets of the rider in relationto the spine, this symmetry relieving all binding joint issues thatoccur with rigid mounted pedals as the current invention allows thepedals to freely follow the foot which follows the ankle which followsthe knee which follows the hip socket joint, essentially allowing thepedals to follow the body instead of the body following the pedals.

Additionally, the current invention offers a multitude of selectabletravel length grooves allowing a rider to configure a specific range oflateral mobility the pedal can freely laterally float within, as wellthe ability to lock the pedal at the farthest laterally outward locationthe selected travel length groove offers.

The lateral floating option while pedaling in the rotational patternincorporates additional muscles in the legs generating greater powerwhile maximizing efficiency and effectiveness.

Furthermore, the rider can change the desired travel length groove bysimply turning a knob at the outer most edge of the pedal sliderassembly structure, and can lock or unlock the lateral movement optionby pushing in or pulling out the same knob.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Discloses a stationary type of bicycle with the current inventionattached and a standard pedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 2 Shows a close up view of the current invention attached to astationary bicycle and a standard pedal attached to the currentinvention.

FIG. 3 Discloses the current invention attached to a standard road typebicycle and a standard pedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 4 Shows a close up view of the current invention with a standardpedal attached.

FIG. 5 Shows a close up view of the current invention at a moderatelyclockwise rotated angle with a standard pedal attached to the currentinvention.

FIG. 6 Shows a close up view of the current invention at a moderatelycounter-clockwise rotated angle with a standard pedal attached to thecurrent invention.

FIG. 7 Discloses the current invention in one of the laterally outwardlypositions the current invention affords the pedal to move outwardly ofthe industry standard position for all bicycle pedals and a standardpedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 8 Discloses the current invention in one of the laterally outwardlypositions the current invention affords the pedal to move even furtheroutwardly of the industry standard position for all bicycle pedals and astandard pedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 9 Shows the current inventions selector handle ability to slideoutwardly away from the main end structure which unlocks the currentinventions ability to move further and further outwardly in a lateralmanner and a standard pedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 10 Shown in cut away view from the side is the current inventionand a standard pedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 11 Shown in cut away ¾ view focused on the internal lockingunlocking system of the current invention and a standard pedal attachedto the current invention.

FIG. 12 Shown in cut away view a detailed view of the locking system.

FIG. 13 Discloses the lock bar and lock ball.

FIG. 14 Discloses the travel limiter structure for the lateral outwardlytravel abilities of the current invention.

FIG. 15 Shown in transparent view is the travel limiting system.

FIG. 16 Shown in cut away view, the lateral travel slots are disclosedwith travel pin in the neutral position.

FIG. 17 Shown in cut away view, the lateral travel slots are disclosedwith travel pin in the furthest position of the shortest of four lateraltravel slots.

FIG. 18 Discloses the current invention without the pedal slider,detailing different travel slots and the neutral position, as well asthe slider bars in which the pedal slider travels laterally across toachieve different lengths of lateral travel ability.

FIG. 19 Shown in cut away view is the bearing housing assembly.

FIG. 20 Discloses a different embodiment of the current invention with amultiple spring cushioning system in place of the locking system.

FIG. 21 Discloses the pedal slider at the furthest lateral outwardlymovement afforded by the travel slot selected and stopped against thespring cushioning system.

FIG. 22 Shown in cut away view the pedal slider at the furthest lateraloutwardly movement afforded by the travel slot selected and stoppedagainst the spring cushioning system.

FIG. 23 Shown in ¾ top front view discloses another embodiment of thecurrent invention specifically a single spring cushioning system inplace of the multiple spring cushioning system.

FIG. 24 Shown in ¾ top front view discloses a close up view of one ofthe single spring cushioning systems engagement post.

FIG. 25 Shown in transparent view disclosing the internal workings ofthe single spring cushioning system.

FIG. 26 Discloses the internal spring shaft, spring, and engagementposts of the single spring system.

FIG. 27 Shown in cut away side view is the single spring cushioningsystem with the pedal being in the “neutral” position of its travelability by the travel post.

FIG. 28 Shown in cut away side view is the single spring cushioningsystem with the pedal being in a position of contact with the engagementpost of the single spring cushion system via the travel post.

FIG. 29 Shown in cut away side view is the single spring cushioningsystem with the pedal having utilized the single spring cushioningsystem by the travel post contacting and moving the engagement post thusactivating the cushioning system.

FIG. 30 Close up cut away of the engagement post in the through slot ofthe travel groove.

FIG. 31 Cut away side view of the pedal slider at the farthest outwardposition of a chosen travel length groove, locked in that outward spotand compressing the spring cushioning system.

FIG. 32 Cut away close-up of FIG. 31, the locking system engaged andspring cushioning system compressed.

FIG. 33 Cut away close-up of the locking system disengaged and thespring cushioning system in its expanded state available to cushion thelateral movement of the pedal slider travel post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 With reference to FIG. 1 a stationary bike 2 is shown with thepedal slider assembly 1 attached to the standard crank arm and astandard pedal attached to the current invention.

FIG. 2 Shows a close up view of the pedal slider assembly 1 with astandard pedal attached.

FIG. 3 Showing the current invention pedal slider assembly 1 with astandard pedal attached being utilized on a generic road type bicycle 3.

FIG. 4 Details an angled side view of the pedal slider assembly 1 whichin a standard “clip in” type pedal 4 available at any bike store isattached. The pedal slider assembly 1 is attached to a standard bicyclecrank arm 5 found on every bicycle made. The bearing housing end cap 6is one end of the slider base structure while the slider end cap 7 isthe other end, the two connected by the slider rods 9. The pedal slider8 slides across the slider rods 9 and the length of slide, or “travel”is determined by differing length grooves in the travel length bar 10,the choice of travel groove determined by the selector handle 11.

FIG. 5 Shows the pedal slider assembly 1 as shown in FIG. 4 and rotatedslightly clockwise demonstrating that the entire assembly moves as anystandard bicycle pedal does when attached to a standard crank arm. Thepedal slider 8 which houses the travel post bar 22 which is held inplace by pins 22. The pedal slider 8 has slider bushings 24 in its lowersection allowing it to glide smoothly across slider rods 9. The lengthof travel dictated by one of several different travel length grooves(18C and 18D shown) featured in the travel length bar 10. Travel lengthgroove options are chosen by the user selecting one of the availablepositions by turning the handle 11 which is connected to the travellength bar 10 by retaining pin 12.

Additionally there is one travel slot 17 featured in the travel lengthbar 10 which limits the internal lock bar (not shown) travel by limitingthe movement of travel pin 16 inside travel slot 17, stopping the userfrom pulling or pushing the handle 11 and by connection the internallock bar beyond the range of its functional intent. A standard pedal 4is attached to the pedal slider assembly.

FIG. 6 Showing the pedal slider assembly 1 with a standard pedalattached in a slightly counter-clockwise rotation indicating its abilityto move much like a standard pedal when attached directly to a standardcrank arm. A standard pedal is attached to the pedal slider assembly.

FIG. 7 Shows the pedal slider assembly with the pedal slider 8 movedlaterally outward away from the bearing housing end cap 6 towards theslider end cap 7 along the slider bars 9. A standard pedal 4 is attachedto the pedal slider assembly.

FIG. 8 Shows the pedal slider assembly with the pedal slider 8 in aposition laterally outward farther than indicated in FIG. 7. A standardpedal 4 is attached to the pedal slider assembly.

FIG. 9 Shows the pedal slider assembly with the pedal slider 8 in thesame outward position as in FIG. 8. The handle 11 is featured in apulled outward position away from the slider end cap 7. The lock shaft13 is shown between the alignment arms 10B of the travel length bar 10,the lock shaft resides in the center opening of the travel length bar10. The pulled outward position of the handle 11, away from the sliderend cap 7, allows the lock shaft 13 to unlock the locking system. Withthe handle 11 pulled to its outward position away from the slider endcap 7 the user is free to slide the pedal slider 8 back and forth acrossthe length of the chosen travel groove 18A, B, C, or D. When the handle11 is pushed inward towards the slider end cap 7 it locks the pedalslider stopping the user from moving the pedal slider 8 back and forthacross the entire available travel length by restricting the pedalslider 8 travel to the farthest laterally outward position of the chosentravel groove 18A, B, C, or D.

FIG. 10 Shown in cut away side view, the assembly mounting post 26 withits threads 26A releasably engaged with the threaded receiver 5A in thecrank arm 5. The assembly mounting post 26 supporting multiple bearings27 which are secured in position by a flange 26B and a retaining clip28. The assembly post 26 is held in position inside the bearing housingend cap 6 by retaining ring 28A. The selector handle 11 secured to thelock shaft 13 by the lock pin 12, the lock pin 12 passing between thetravel length bar arms 10B. The travel length bar 10 being held inposition between the bearing housing end cap 6 and the slider end cap 7and rotatable against bushing 24 secured in the bearing housing end cap6 and bushing 25 secured in the slider end cap 7. The travel length bar10 having a neutral positioning groove 10A around the entirecircumference, multiple detent ball alignment indentations 21 positionedaround the circumference, and multiple travel length grooves also spacedaround the circumference. (18D and 18B shown). The grooves 18+each havea through hole 14A to an internal opening 10C that extends for most ofthe length of the travel length bar 10 for housing the lock shaft 13.The hole 14A confines and directs lock ball 14 to a vertical path thatis limited at the height of its vertical range by the lock ball retainer15 which is inset into the floor 18D1 of the travel groove 18D (in thisexample) the vertical movement of the lock ball being directed by thelock shaft 13. The lock shaft 13 having a lock ball ramp 29 for eachtravel groove 18's in the travel length bar 10 as well as indentations20A which allow a detent ball (not shown) to give a haptic response tothe user that the lock shaft is at either end of its travel limit.Additionally hole 16A for securing the travel limiting pin 16 (notshown) as it moves within travel limiting slot 17 (not shown). Attachedto the slider end cap 7 is detent ball housing 30 which secures detentball assembly 31 which incorporates detent ball 32, detent ball 32releasably engages indentations 21 which gives the user a hapticresponse when one of the travel grooves 18 A,B,C,D is in correctposition to allow the pedal slider 8 to be used.

FIG. 11 Shown in cut away ¾ view detailing the handle 11 where it makescontact 11A with the travel length bar 10 which establishes the lockedposition for the pedal slider 8. The travel post bar 22 which is securedwithin pedal slider 8 holds the travel post 35. Travel post 35 is shownbetween the lock ball 14 and the end of the travel groove 18D, the lockball 14 being in its most elevated position which has a large portion ofthe lock ball 14 above the floor 18D1 of the travel groove 18D andcontained within the lock ball hole 14A pressed up against the lock ballretainer 15 at the contact point 15A on the top side of the lock balland lifted into the shown position by the lock shaft ramps lockedposition 29, the lock ball 14 blocking the travel post 35 atinterference point 23A, which blocks the entire pedal slider 8 fromlateral movement, thus directing the user to pedal in a path that is aset distance away from the centerline of the bicycle.

FIG. 12 Shown in cut away view and up close detail of the lock ballsystem wherein the lock ball 14 moves up and down in within the lockball hole 14A situated within the floor 18D1 of travel groove 18D of thetravel length bar 10. Lock ball retainer 15 stops the vertical travel ofthe lock ball 14 at contact point 15A allowing the lock ball 14 to sitpartially in the path of the travel post 35 keeping the travel post 35trapped between the end of the travel groove 18D2 and the lock ball 14.The lock ball movement generated by the directional movement of the lockshaft 13 which is moved by pulling out or pushing in the handle 11. Inthe lock shaft 13 is the lock unlock ramp which has three positions,lock position 29 which holds the lock ball up through the travel groovefloor as described above, transitional position 29A which allows thelock ball 14 to ascend through the floor as previously described ordescend deeper into the lock ball hole 14A, and unlock position 29Bwhich holds the lock ball 14 below the floor of the travel grove 18D1which then allows the travel post 35 to move freely back and forth thedistance of the travel grove 18D when the pedal slider 8 is moved by theuser by their foot attached to the pedal. Further shown is the travelpost 35 moving across the lock ball hole 14A unrestricted.

FIG. 13 Details all the same components as FIG. 12 although shown hereis the lock shaft 13 having been pulled outward by handle 11 (not shown)moving the position of the lock system from the lock ramp 29 position asit relates to the lock ball 14 to lock ramp 29B position which allowsthe lock ball 14 to descend into lock hole 14A causing the lock ball 14to drop below the floor 18D1 of travel groove 18D allowing travel post35 to travel freely the entire length of the travel groove 18D as theuser may desire.

FIG. 14 Details the lock shaft 13 with the lock ball 14 seated in theunlocked ramp portion 29B of the lock shaft. The locked position of theramp 29 and the transitional position of the ramp 29A are also shown aswell as a second ramp, the lock shaft having as many lock/unlock rampsas the travel length bar 10 has travel length grooves (18A-D in thisexample). Additionally the lock shaft 13 details the travel limitationpin 16 which resides in the travel limit slot 17 (not shown) whichlimits the user from pulling the handle 11 beyond the ramp, ball, lock,systems functional means. indentations 20A accept the detent ball thatresides in the travel length bar 10 which gives the user haptic feedbackat each end of the lock shaft's movement limitations.

FIG. 15 Shown in ¾ front up close view, the travel length bar 10 withtravel grooves 18D and 18C, the lock ball 14 and lock ball retainer 15secured in travel groove 18C, travel limiting pin 16 inside travellimitation slot 17, the limiting pin 16 at the unlocked end 17B of theslot 17, the locked end being 17A, the travel limiting pin beinginserted into the lock shaft 13 (not shown see FIG. 14). Lock shaft 13detent ball assembly 33 present to give haptic feedback to users whenpulling the handle 11 from the locked position of the lock shaft to theunlocked position as the lock shaft detent ball assembly 33 falls intolock shaft indentations 20A (not shown, see FIG. 14)

FIG. 16 Shown in cut away view, the bearing housing end cap 6 attachedto the standard crank arm 5, the pedal slider 8 riding on the slider rod9, the travel length rod 10 secured at one end in the bearing housingend cap 6, showing the travel post 35 idle in the neutral positiongroove 10A. When the travel post 35 is idle in groove 10A the user canturn the handle 11 (not shown) which rotates the travel length bar 10allowing the user to choose one of several travel grooves ex: 18A shown,the length of the groove (10A) determines the amount of outward lateraltravel the pedal slider and pedal can traverse.

FIG. 17 Shown in cut away view just as in FIG. 16 although now showingthe pedal slider 8 having moved outward laterally to the end of thechosen travel groove ex: 18A, travel post 35 shown at the end of theaforementioned travel groove.

FIG. 18 Describes a top view at a moderate clockwise rotation with thepedal slider 8 absent for a clear view of the neutral position groove10A which is cut into travel length bar 10. The bearing housing end cap6 and the slider end cap 7 connected by the pair of slider rods 9exhibit the rotational structure of the current invention upon which thepedal slider 8 traverses outwardly and inwardly (away from the bearinghousing end cap 6 and towards the slider end cap 7) while holding astandard pedal. Additionally shown in travel grove 18A is the lockingsystem.

FIG. 19 Shown in close up cut away view, the bearing housing end cap 6with bearings 27 which are secured on the bearing shaft 36 between theflange 36A and the retaining ring 37 which resides in retainer groove36B, a washer 38 resides between the bearing 27 and the retaining ring37, the bearing shaft 36 is set into the internal compartment 6A andsecured by a retaining ring that resides in groove 39. Bearing shaft 36releasably threads into the standard crank arm 5 via the threaded end36D and tightened via a tool inserted into 36C. Travel length bar 10having its inwardly most end secured and rotatable in the bearinghousing end cap bushing 24.

FIG. 20 In another embodiment the current invention is shown with thetravel length bar 10 having a spring system in each of the availabletravel grooves 18D, A, B, C, this spring system absorbing the impactthat exists when the user traverses the full length of the chosen travelgroove to the outwardly most position before traversing back to the mostinwardly position. The spring base housing 40 sits against the end 18D2of the travel groove 18D, and houses the spring 41 which is attached atits free end to the post catch cup 42 which mirrors the shape of 18D2.When the pedal slider 8 is moved outwardly towards the post catch cupthe travel post 35 makes contact and the outward force is absorbed bythe compressing of the spring 41 which also gives haptic feedback to theuser to begin traversing in the opposite direction.

FIG. 21 Showing the pedal slider 8 having traversed the travel grooveand contacting the spring catch cup at point 43.

FIG. 22 Shown in cut away view, the pedal slider 8 having utilized thefull travel length of the travel groove 18D and travel post 35 havingcontacted spring catch cup 42 at point 43 and compressing spring 41inside spring housing 40 providing a smooth stopping point for the userand directing a change of direction.

FIG. 23 Shown in ¾ top front view, in another embodiment the currentinvention is shown with the travel length bar 10 having a single springsystem activated by an engagement post 50 located in each of theavailable travel grooves 18D, A, B, C, this spring system absorbing theimpact that exists when the user traverses the full length of the chosentravel groove to the outwardly most position before traversing back tothe most inwardly position.

FIG. 24 Showing a close up top view of the travel length bar 10,specific groove 18D, the engagement post 50 positioned through theengagement post slot 51 and mounted into the spring shaft 52. The singlespring 53 shown contacting the spring shaft 52.

FIG. 25 Shown in transparent view is the travel length rod 10, travelgrooves 18D and 18C are numbered yet 18A and 18B are visible as thetravel grooves are located at each ¼ rotation of the travel length bar.In travel groove 18D the floor of the groove is noted as 18D1. Springshaft 52 rides in travel length bar center hole 10F along with spring53. Engagement post slot 51 allows the engagement post 50 to engage thespring shaft 52. Travel groove 18C also shows engagement post 50positioned through engagement post slot 51 engaging spring shaft 52.

FIG. 26 Details the components that reside inside the travel length bar10 in this embodiment of the invention. Spring shaft 52 with engagementpost mounting holes 54 located at each quarter rotation of the springshaft with the engagement posts 50 mounted. The engagement posts havinga half round cut out 50A which allows for secure contact engagement withthe cylindrical travel post 35. Further the engagement post 50 has aportion above the spring shaft that is smaller 50B in diameter thanupper portion, this smaller area fits snugly in the engagement throughslot 51. The step area 50C that increases in diameter from 50B rests onthe floor area 18D1 of travel groove 18D, this configuration andinteraction is repeated in travel grooves 18A, 18B, and 18C. Regardlessof which travel groove 18A-18D the user utilizes when the travel post 35engages with the engagement post 50 of that travel groove all fourengagement posts move in their specific through slots 51 as they are allmounted to the spring shaft 52 and the spring shaft pushes against thespring 53 which acts as a cushion. All four engagements posts thusactivate the single spring causing the same cushioning effect throughany of the travel length slots utilized by the rider.

FIG. 27 Shown in cut away side view, the pedal position is in the“neutral” position with the travel post 35 in the travel length bar openslot 10A. As the user slides the pedal 4 on the pedal slider 8 outwardlytowards the slider end cap 7 the engagement post 50, which is connectedto the spring shaft 52, resides at the backside of the through slot 51Ain shown travel grooves 18B and 18D. The spring 53 is in a “free”expanded state.

FIG. 28 Shown in cut away side view, the pedal has traveled the lengthof the travel groove 18B and the travel post 35 has contacted theengagement post 50 at the connection point 50A. The engagement post 50,which is connected to the spring shaft 52, still resides at the inwardend of the through slot 51A in chosen travel groove 18B. The spring 53is still in a “free” expanded state.

FIG. 29 Shown in cut away side view, the pedal has traveled the lengthof the travel groove 18B and the travel post 35 has contacted theengagement post 50 at the connection point 50A. The outwardly movementgenerated by the user is now cushioned by the engagement post 50connected to and moving the spring shaft 52 outwardly causing the spring53 to compress causing a cushioning effect at the end of the travelstroke removing any jarring or pounding of the components and the user.The push “back motion” of the spring 53 expanding again as the riderchanges direction in their movement offers the user assistance intraveling the opposite direction in the travel groove selected,resulting in the spring 53 returning to a “free” state and theengagement post 50 returning to contact with the backside of theengagement slot 51A. With each rotation of the pedal 4 the pedal 4travels outwardly down the selected travel length groove causing thespring engagement and cushioning effect to be activated.

FIG. 30 Shows a close-up cut away of the travel length groove 18B, thefloor of the travel groove 18B1, and the area of the floor 18B1A oneither side of the engagement post 50. Engagement post 50 has a step infloor 50D that is positioned at the same level of the floor of thetravel length groove 18B1. 50B is the threaded portion of the engagementpost 50 for fastening means to the spring shaft 52 while 50C indicatesthe ledge or step that is produced from the reduced area of theengagement post for fitment in the through slot 51. The “step” area of50C produces a surface area that rides on top of the floor area 18B1A.The mounting holes in the spring shaft 54 are also indicated.

FIG. 31 In another embodiment the current invention incorporating alocking system and a spring cushioning system is shown in cut away sideview with the pedal slider travel post 35 at the outward most positionof travel groove 18B in the travel length bar 10 and locked in thatposition while compressing the spring cushioning system.

FIG. 32 Shows a cut away side view close-up detail of FIG. 31 the travelpost 35 at the outward most end of travel groove 18B and havingcontacted the indentation 56A in the spring cap 56 and compressed spring55 into spring retention hole 10G, the lock ball 14 resides in the lockposition 29 of the lock post shaft 13 and retained vertically by thelock ball retainer 15. The spring 55 of travel groove 18D is shown inits expanded state with the spring cap 56 being much closer to the lockball 14 than in travel groove 18B. All lock balls are moved into thelocked position, or unlocked position at the same time when a positionalchange of the lock shaft is initiated, regardless of which travel grooveis designated for use.

FIG. 33 Shows a cut away side view close-up detail of the lock system inits unlocked position with the lock ball 14 sitting in the unlockedposition 29A of the lock shaft 13, the lock ball 14 being completelybelow the floor 18B1 of the travel groove 18B allowing the travel post35 to freely travel outwardly and inwardly in the shown travel groove18B contacting the spring cushioning system near the outer most portionof the travel groove, the travel post 35 contacting the spring cap 56and in compressing the spring 55 slowing and cushioning the outwardlymotion to restrict jarring contact for the user while giving energeticfeedback for the inwardly motion to follow. The lock ball 14 of travelgroove 18D due to gravity has fallen into the same position as whenlocked however when the travel length bar is rotated for travel groove18D to be on top and in the accessed position that lock ball would falldue to gravity and contact the unlocked area 29A of the lock shaft.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pedal slider assembly comprising: arotatable structure wherein a bearing housing end cap secures a bearingmounted on an assembly mounting post, the bearing housing end capsecuring a pair of slider rods, the pair of slider rods secured at oneend in the bearing housing end cap and the other end by a slider endcap, the pair of slider rods supporting a pedal slider component havingthreads for a pedal, the assembly mounting post having threads forsecuring the pedal slider assembly to a bicycle crank arm, the pedalslider assembly allowing the pedal to traverse laterally outward awayfrom and back towards a bicycle frame as the pedal travels through acircular pedal rotational path.
 2. A pedal slider assembly as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the pedal slider assembly has a travel length bar with amultitude of travel length grooves affording the pedal slider componentvarying lengths of lateral movement outwardly away from the bicycleframe and then inwardly back towards the bicycle frame.
 3. A pedalslider assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the travel length bar hasa locking system to retain the pedal's lateral movement at the farthestoutward position while pedaling in a rotational manner.
 4. A pedalslider assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pedal slider assemblyprovides an adjustable free motion lateral path as well as a lockableposition.
 5. A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein ahandle is utilized to select one of the multitude of travel lengthgrooves that determine a travel length the pedal slider component cantraverse laterally across the pair of slider rods.
 6. A pedal sliderassembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein pulling the handle outward awayfrom the bicycle frame or pushing inward towards the bicycle frame locksor unlocks the locking system which when locked retains the pedal slidercomponent at the farthest outward position of the selected one of themultitude of travel length grooves or when unlocked allows the pedalslider component to move freely laterally across the pair of slider rodsa distance determined by the selected one of the multitude of travellength grooves.
 7. A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 6 whereinthe multitude of travel length grooves each has a respective length, therespective lengths differing from each other.
 8. A pedal slider assemblyas claimed in claim 7 further comprising a lock balls, wherein each ofthe multitude of travel length grooves has a vertical lock hole and alock ball retainer recess.
 9. A pedal slider assembly as claimed inclaim 8 wherein a lock shaft resides in an internal hole within thetravel length bar, the lock shaft having a multitude of lock ball ramps.10. A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of themultitude of lock ball ramps includes a first position portion, a secondposition portion below the first position portion, and a ramp portion,the ramp portion residing between the first and second positionportions, the pedal slider assembly further comprising a lock pin forattaching the handle to the lock shaft.
 11. A pedal slider assembly asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the lock shaft facilitates a specificallydirected vertical path the lock balls can travel when the lock shaft ismoved from an unlocked position to a locked position or from the lockedposition to the unlocked position via the handle.
 12. A pedal sliderassembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pedal slider componentincorporates a travel post which engages the selected one of themultitude of travel length grooves which determines a lateral distancethe pedal slider component can travel.
 13. A pedal slider assembly asclaimed in claim 12 wherein the pedal slider component travel post isactively engaged by a position of a lock ball when the locking system isin a lock position, the lock ball being secured in a higher position ofa lock shaft pushing the lock ball partially through a floor of one ofthe travel length grooves trapping the travel post between the lock balland an end position of the selected one of the multitude of travellength grooves, thereby maintaining a specific increased width the pedaland pedal slider component remain away from the bicycle frame when beingpedaled.
 14. A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein thelocking system and a cushioning system are combined.
 15. A pedal sliderassembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein each of the multitude of travellength grooves has the spring cushioning system contained therein thatis functional when the locking system is in an unlocked position, andnon-functional when the locking system is in a locked position.
 16. Apedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the multitude oftravel length grooves contained in the travel length bar have no lockingsystem function to affect the lateral movement of the pedal slidercomponent.
 17. A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 16 whereinthe travel length bar has a spring compression system secured in thetravel length grooves of the travel length bar at an outward mostportion of the travel length grooves wherein outwardly generated forcesfrom pedaling are cushioned when a pedal slider component travel postengages a spring catch cap compressing a spring.
 18. A pedal sliderassembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the pedal slider component moveslaterally outwardly then laterally inwardly across the pair of sliderrods.
 19. A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein thetravel length bar containing the multitude of travel length grooves hasan internal spring compression system activated by any one of severalengagement posts, one post located in each of the multitude of travellength grooves which slows the pedal slider component at an end of alateral travel path of a selected travel length groove.
 20. A pedalslider assembly as claimed in claim 19 comprising a spring shaft withmultiple engagement post holes internally located within the travellength bar in line with a single spring located at one end of a centralinternal hole of the travel length bar.
 21. A pedal slider assembly asclaimed in claim 20 wherein the multitude of travel length grooves havevarying lengths, each of the multitude of travel length grooves have oneof the engagement posts located towards a most outwardly portion of eachgroove, each of the engagement posts having a threaded engagement endwhich connects to the spring shaft through a pass-through slot locatedin a floor of each travel length groove at an outward end portion ofeach travel length groove, and each of the engagement posts includes alarger cylindrical end with a half round indentation for contact with apedal slider component travel post which resides in a selected one ofthe multitude of travel length grooves above the floor of the selectedone of the travel length grooves, and engages the spring shaftactivating the internal spring compression system when engaged by thepedal slider component travel post, each individual engagement postconnecting to the spring shaft engaging the single internal spring. 22.A pedal slider assembly as claimed in claim 1 with the pedal attachedallowing the pedal to slide laterally outward from a center line of thebicycle frame and then laterally inward toward the center line of thebicycle frame, changing a width of the pedal position while in rotationas the width relates to the center line of the bicycle frame, allowing auser's body skeletal structure to dictate where the pedal is positionedin relation to the bicycle frame through the entire circular pedalrotational path of the pedal, the pedal slider component freelyfollowing an inward and outward lateral path established by the user'sbody motion path instead of the user's body being forced to maintain arigid rotational path of a pedal.
 23. A pedal slider assembly as claimedin claim 22 wherein a selector handle is used to select one of themultitude of travel length grooves for which the pedal slider componentthen traverses a distance laterally outward from the frame and backlaterally inward towards the frame as frequently as a user chooses whilepedaling, correct alignment of the selected one of the multitude oftravel length grooves in relation to a pedal slider travel post beingindicated by haptic feedback between a detent ball and one of a multipleof indentations in a travel length bar when the selector handle isrotated.